INDEX
Understanding the Present Through Historical Reflection
I may have gone a little too deep into the sub-stories. What emerges clearly from this series of descriptions and analyses is the validity of thinking about the present through “history” and the “past,” and the strong invitation to take the time to engage in such an activity.
Here’s the English translation:
Although I’ve spent a fair amount of words discussing it, there’s still much more to uncover about the embedded representations of the past in this film and their interplay. For instance, parallels can be drawn with Hal Ashby’s works like ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971) and ‘The Last Detail’ (1973). There’s also an emotional resonance reminiscent of Paul Mazursky’s ‘Harry and Tonto’ (1974) and a sense of melancholy akin to Bob Rafelson’s ‘Five Easy Pieces’ (1970) that seems to seep through. The scene where they watch Arthur Penn’s ‘Little Big Man’ as part of a Boston ‘field trip’ is particularly memorable. Additionally, the impactful use of the popular American TV variety show ‘The Newlywed Game’ from that era stands out. Furthermore, the books that Hanam-sensei frequently intends to gift, such as Marcus Aurelius’s meditations known as ‘Meditations,’ are particularly characteristic of his philosophical emperor persona (is there a more fitting book for Hanam?)
‘The Holdovers’ could be considered a gimmicky, nostalgia-oriented film in the sense that it is decorated with vintage textures and quotes from various representations of the past in every direction. However, as I will repeat again, the film’s gaze on “the past” and “history” is clearly inscribed with a strong conviction and a literal eye for the classics, which is clearly separated from such postmodern playfulness. We should all read Cicero’s book, drink some old whiskey, and listen to a great swing jazz performance. We will surely hear the “now” and see it emerge.
The Holdovers
Roadshow from June 21, 2024 (Fri.) at TOHO Cinemas Chante and other theaters nationwide.
Director: Alexander Payne
Screenplay: David Hemmingson
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Davine Joy Randolph, Dominique Cessa
Distributor: Bitters End Universal Pictures
https://www.holdovers.jp
